Fancy a one-day / short trip to Johor Bahru for some shopping and local eats? Or go over once or twice a month for cheap groceries at the supermarkets? Check out this list of 12+ shopping malls in terms of proximity from JB Sentral and/or popularity among visitors from Singapore.
For me, a regular to Johor Bahru, it is the supermarkets for groceries, Daiso / Mr. DIY for household items, cafes / coffee roasters for coffee beans, bakeries / confectioneries for breads, cakes and traditional pastries that brought me over the Causeway at least once a month. And also to explore food havens near the shopping malls — aside from shopping, they are well-known landmarks and convenient to get to by public transportation.
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1. Johor Bahru City Square
Located right next to JB Sentral, JB City Square Shopping Centre is the closest to Singapore and sees the most visitors from Singapore. It features a large number of retailers, pharmacies, restaurants, a cinema, etc, and also a small supermarket in the basement. Being the closest to Singapore, its target customers are primarily visitors from Singapore and prices of goods tend to be slightly pricier — but still cheaper for foreigners, including Singaporeans, than for Malaysians.
JB City Square is undergoing phased renovation and expected to finish by late 2027 / early 2028. Some shops / restaurants may close temporary or move out permanently while some may still be opened for business as usual. Expect changes in its tenants till the end of the renovation period.
Get There:
After exiting from JB CIQ (1st Link), walk through JB Sentral and cross a pedestrian bridge. To the left is JB City Square and to the right is KOMTAR JBCC (see below).
Eat There:
Aside from a number of food options within JB City Square, there are numerous eating options outside the mall, along Jalan Wong Ah Fook (in Bandar Johor Bahru) and in a nearby popular food haven known as Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk. Read:
Recommended:
- Have breakfast in the shopping centre as early as 8am while waiting for all the shops to open at 10am. Read: JB Eats: Breakfast Served from 8AM @ JB City Square
- Catch a movie. It is so much cheaper than watching a show in Singapore. Just make sure to pick a show in the correct language and/or subtitle.
2. KOMTAR JBCC
KOMTAR JBCC is located right beside JB City Square and gets its fair share of Singapore visitors. Aside from retail shops and restaurants, it also housed a Daiso outlet, a Mr DIY outlet, couple of money changers, etc. The mall has an indoor playground, named Kidz Republic, designed to entertain children with various activities.
Get There:
After exiting from JB CIQ (1st Link), walk through JB Sentral and cross a pedestrian bridge. To the left is JB City Square (see above) and to the right is KOMTAR JBCC.
Eat There:
There are a number of restaurants in KOMTAR JBCC and also outside the mall in Bandar Johor Bahru. Read:
Recommended:
- Still prefer cash over cashless payment in Malaysia? The money changers in KOMTAR JBCC offers better exchange rates than changers nearer to JB CIQ.
3. R&F Mall (富力广场)
R&F Mall is a prominent three-storey shopping mall located in Tanjung Puteri, within walking distance from JB CIQ. It serves as a major retail and F&B component of the R&F Princess Cove integrated development that includes residential towers, a 5-star hotel, a marina, and the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House. Known for having a more relaxed, spacious, and less crowded environment compared to other malls within the city centre, R&F Mall is popular for dining and leisure.
Get There:
Walk there via a 650-meter sheltered pedestrian bridge next to the entrance / exit of JB CIQ, or use the free RnF shuttle bus from JB Sentral Bus Terminal to the mall.
3+1. SKS City Mall JBCC
Officially opened on 1st May 2026, SKS City Mall is a modern 5-level retail destination located along Jalan Storey in Bukit Senyum, next to JB CIQ.
Get There:
It is just 4-minute drive from JB CIQ — that means either Grab a car there or take a 20-minute walk for those who don’t drive. And no shuttle / public bus service either — although Causeway Link’s CT1 service does pass-by the area but no designated bus-stop.
(I will add more details after visiting the new mall.)
4. KSL City
KSL City Mall is probably the next most visited shopping mall by Singapore visitors for its affordability and convenience — for those willing to travel a little further. The mall features diverse shopping, abundant food options (from street food to restaurants), a cinema, Daiso, Mr. DIY, Lotus’s supermarket, a number of massage centres and spas / salons, all linked to KSL Hotel & Resort for easy stays, making it a go-to spot for day trips and short getaways. There is also a night market outside the mall on Monday evenings.
Get There:
JB Bus: To KSL City Mall / Holiday Plaza in Johor Bahru
Eat There:
There are many affordable food options within KSL City itself, and cheaper local tastes are located just outside the mall, along rows of shophouses, in Taman Century. Read:
Recommended:
- Catch a movie.
- Go for massage or foot reflexology, a popular form of relaxation favoured by many Singapore visitors.
- Visit the night market on Monday night. See: JB Market: Monday Night Market @ KSL City Mall (KSL City.星期一夜市)
5. Carton King Street Mall (纸箱王商业街)
Carton King Street Mall, right next to KSL City Mall in Taman Century, is a ticket-free, paper-themed, indoor attraction located within Space Residency. Inspired by Taiwan’s Carton King, it features large cardboard displays and a moving paper train, offering an engaging, Instagrammable, and family-friendly experience. It has several restaurants too, including Carton King Restaurant.
6. Pelangi Leisure Mall
Tucked away in one corner of Taman Pelangi is Pelangi Leisure Mall, which looks like an abandoned warehouse if not for the signs of Mr. DIY, Marrybrown and Giant hanging on the outer wall. With few retail shops and Marrybrown as the only food option, the mall offers a bowling alley, a fitness centre and also a Mr. DIY outlet. The ground floor is occupied by Giant Hypermarket — the largest and nearest supermarket in nearby Johor Bahru.
Being further away from the main road and all local bus services, Pelangi Leisure Mall is more convenient to locals, Singapore visitors who drive and people who can take a long walk — like me. The mall has a large carpark that is seldom fully occupied even on weekends.
Get There:
JB Bus: To Taman Pelangi (彩虹花园) & Dai Mah Garden (大马花园) in Johor Bahru
Eat There:
There are numerous eating options right outside the mall in Taman Pelangi and nearby Taman Sri Tebrau. Read:
Recommended:
- Buy groceries at Giant Hypermarket or household items at Mr DIY. Start saving on your grocery / household expenses.
- Have a bowling game or workout at the fitness centre.
7. Plaza Pelangi
Plaza Pelangi has been around for many years and had gotten a major facelift few years back. It looks like a new shopping complex. However, its popularity among Singapore visitors is rather low compared to other shopping complexes in Johor Bahru, especially with the popular KSL City nearby. Plaza Pelangi has a premium Mercato supermarket, where prices are relatively higher than other supermarkets but it boasts higher-quality, luxury goods.
Get There:
JB Bus: To Taman Pelangi (彩虹花园) & Dai Mah Garden (大马花园) in Johor Bahru
Eat There:
Plaza Pelangi offers several restaurants and cafes. For cheaper eats, there are many food options just outside the mall in Taman Maju Jaya and the wider Taman Pelangi. Read:
8. Mid Valley Southkey Mall
Opened in April 2019, Mid Valley Southkey Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in Johor Bahru. It is located in Kota Southkey right next to Taman Sentosa. The shopping mall has hundreds of shops, including restaurants, a Village Grocer supermarket, a cinema, entertainment zones, etc, and an adjoining hotel named St Giles Southkey, offering a one-stop shopping and leisure experience. The shopping mall has gained much popularity among Singapore visitors.
Get There:
JB Bus: To Mid Valley Southkey Mall in Kota Southkey
Eat There:
Mid Valley Southkey offers tons of eating options, including a foodcourt. There are more options in nearby Taman Sentosa. Read:
9. Toppen / AEON Mall Tebrau City / IKEA Tebrau
Tebrau City is a shopping cluster in Taman Desa Tebrau that comprises of Toppen, AEON Mall Tebrau City, IKEA Tebrau and Lotus’s supermarket. The cluster is some 20 minutes’ drive from JB Sentral. IKEA Tebrau is the largest (in Southeast Asia) and a somewhat-cheaper alternative to the IKEA outlets in Singapore. Toppen is a relatively new shopping mall and inter-connected to IKEA Tebrau. The shopping cluster is popular with visitors who drive.
For Singapore visitors, getting bulky furniture from IKEA Tebrau may not necessary be cheaper, after taking into considerations Singapore’s Good & Service Tax (for purchases over S$100) and transport cost, and also the trouble to transport them back home. Nevertheless, the outlet is still popular among Singapore visitors to get smaller, cheaper items that are easy to carry back.
Get There:
JB Bus: To IKEA Tebrau, AEON Mall Tebrau City & Toppen in Taman Desa Tebrau
Eat There:
There are tons of eating option in Toppen and AEON Mall Tebrau City. If eating at IKEA restaurants in Singapore is considered expensive, then don’t miss the chance to feast at IKEA Tebrau at much cheaper prices. Read:
10. AEON Mall Bukit Indah
AEON Bukit Indah is in the western suburb of Johor Bahru and is easier and faster to get there via Tuas (2nd Link) than via the usually-congested Woodlands Causeway. Apart from the many retail shops, massage services and restaurants, AEON itself offers a large supermarket with a foodcourt. Most Singapore visitors who enter Johor Bahru via Tuas will usually visit the mall.
Get There:
JB Bus: To AEON Mall Bukit Indah / Perling Mall
Eat There:
Aside from many eating options in AEON Mall Bukit Indah, there are numerous options outside the mall in Bukit Indah.
11. Paradigm Mall JB
Paradigm Mall (Johor Bahru) is a major regional shopping, leisure and entertainment hub located in Skudai sub-district. It is one of the largest malls in Johor Bahru, featuring over 500 retail shops across seven floors, offering a diverse range of shopping, Village Grocer supermarket and dining options. For entertainment, there are Malaysia’s first indoor ice-skating rink, a 16-screen cinema, an indoor adventure park, and more. The mall is also part of a larger complex that includes a hotel (Hyatt Place JB) and serviced residences.
Get There:
JB Bus: To Beletime Danga Bay / Angsana Mall / Paradigm Mall / Sutera Mall along Skudai Highway
Eat There:
Paradigm Mall features a diverse range of Malaysian delights and international options. Read:
Recommended:
- Shop at Kaison, Romantika, Daiso, Nitori Japan, Mr. DIY and many others.
- Participate in some games, like ice skating , indoor adventure, archery, multi-storey slide, etc.
12. Sutera Mall
Sutera Mall is a large, family-focused shopping destination known for its diverse retail mix, extensive food options (including a unique Hong Kong-themed street on the lower ground floor), and vibrant atmosphere with entertainment, making it a popular spot for both locals and Singapore visitors seeking shopping, dining and leisure. It features anchor tenants like AEON BIG hypermarket, numerous specialty stores, restaurants, cafes, beauty services, and even arcades. The largest Scarlett Supermarket (思家客) in both Singapore and Malaysia is also located here.
Get There:
JB Bus: To Beletime Danga Bay / Angsana Mall / Paradigm Mall / Sutera Mall along Skudai Highway
Eat There:
Sutera Mall itself offers a lot of local and international dining options. Outside the mall, in Taman Sutera Utama, is another food haven with more choices. Read:
Recommended:
- Have fun at the indoor go-karting centre.
- Shop at Scarlett and AEON supermarket.
- Planning a major event, like wedding or company functions? Check out Peking Restaurant’s event halls. For dishes, see: JB Eat: Pekin Restaurant (北京楼) Chinese Cuisine @ Taman Sentosa
Aside from the better-known shopping malls listed above, there may be more / newer malls to explore and probably nearer to Singapore than expected. However, the primary factor affecting their popularities with majority of Singapore visitors is whether they can be easily accessible using public buses and lower expenses.
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